It is not every day a couple celebrates 65 years of marriage, but at Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge a couple got to celebrate theirs. Howie and Marge Walch celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 11th, 2020 at Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge. The couple met at Howie’s cousin’s wedding, while they were both dating other people. Howie and Marge dated for two years before getting married on June 11th, 1955, and went on to have three children and nine grandchildren. 500 of their friends and family were in attendance at their wedding in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The couple had plans to celebrate this milestone with their family at Olive Garden, their favorite restaurant but due to the global pandemic, those plans had to change. The Anchor Lodge staff decided they needed to make the day special for the Walch’s. There was sparkling cider, cake, a toast, and the presentation of a wall canvas the staff made to honor 65 years of love. Tears were shed as the couple sang their wedding song, My Happiness by Connie Francis to one another and their daughter surprised them and joined the celebration of her parents’ love through the facility window. When asked what makes a marriage last Howie responded “A good woman.” The 65th wedding anniversary is represented by the blue sapphire which symbolizes wisdom, virtue, and holiness. It is not every day you get to be a part of a celebration so special and filled with love, but the Anchor Lodge staff was able to make the couple feel as special as possible on this monumental day.
